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A review by chrisb913
The Name-Bearer by Natalia Hernandez
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Please read trigger warnings.
I absolutely adored this book. As the debut novel for Natalia Hernandez, she sold me as a must buy author. The characters had so much personality, the world building and magic system were interconnected and intriguing, and the plot has me craving to find out what happens next. I will say, based on the blurb on the back of the book, the story I thought I would be reading about was not the story I was told in this book, but I still loved it.
We start out with The Name Bearer getting ready for The Naming Ceremony after the current Queen has had her child. She must appease the Flowers of Prophecy for them to name the new born child and future ruler of the kingdom. They unfortunately refuse to name the new born claiming another child has been born that will usher in a time of peace from the never ending war the kingdom has been fighting with their neighbors to the north. Confused and dismayed The Name Bearer is then thrust into an adventure that she was neither wanting nor adequately prepared for. What follows is a tale of a young girl being forced out of the palace and future she so desperately wanted, into a world of monsters, wars, and vile human beings. Along the way she makes enemies, friends, and even possibly love.
The story ends in the middle of an adventure. If you do not like a sprawling tale that spans a trilogy and leaves you with the "to be continued" at the end of the first two books, this may not be a story for you. If this does not deter you and you enjoy stories about strong warriors women, found families, the normalcy of lgbtq in stories, and a rich world steeped in both indigenous and latinx culture and mythology, then definitely give this book a shot.
I absolutely adored this book. As the debut novel for Natalia Hernandez, she sold me as a must buy author. The characters had so much personality, the world building and magic system were interconnected and intriguing, and the plot has me craving to find out what happens next. I will say, based on the blurb on the back of the book, the story I thought I would be reading about was not the story I was told in this book, but I still loved it.
We start out with The Name Bearer getting ready for The Naming Ceremony after the current Queen has had her child. She must appease the Flowers of Prophecy for them to name the new born child and future ruler of the kingdom. They unfortunately refuse to name the new born claiming another child has been born that will usher in a time of peace from the never ending war the kingdom has been fighting with their neighbors to the north. Confused and dismayed The Name Bearer is then thrust into an adventure that she was neither wanting nor adequately prepared for. What follows is a tale of a young girl being forced out of the palace and future she so desperately wanted, into a world of monsters, wars, and vile human beings. Along the way she makes enemies, friends, and even possibly love.
The story ends in the middle of an adventure. If you do not like a sprawling tale that spans a trilogy and leaves you with the "to be continued" at the end of the first two books, this may not be a story for you. If this does not deter you and you enjoy stories about strong warriors women, found families, the normalcy of lgbtq in stories, and a rich world steeped in both indigenous and latinx culture and mythology, then definitely give this book a shot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Blood, Trafficking, and War
Minor: Sexual assault